I would like to draw attention to the use of the name “Sea of Japan” on the map shown on the front page of the Inquirer’s April 11, 2012 issue to designate the sea area between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago.
Historically, the sea area has been called “East Sea” in Korea for the past 2,000 years. Until the 19th century, various names were used to designate this area such as “Sea of Joseon (Korea),” “East Sea” and “Oriental Sea,” while “Sea of Japan” was not widely used even in Japan.
It is worthy to note that, as late as 1870, many Japanese maps referred to this body of water as “Sea of Joseon” rather than “Sea of Japan.”
Lying between Korea and Japan and extending north toward Russia, the sea area includes the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the countries encircling the area. In other words, several countries have jurisdiction and sovereign rights over it. When a geographical feature is shared among two or more countries and an agreement on a standardized name cannot be reached, it is the general rule of international cartography that the names used by each of the countries are used concurrently. This general rule is also confirmed in the resolution of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the UN resolution on the Standardization of Geographic Names. Following these cartographic rules and resolutions, Korea is of the firm view that both “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” should be used concurrently.
Indeed, the international community is increasingly supportive of the above-mentioned Korean view. The continued and steady increase in the use of both names by many internationally recognized cartographers and the media clearly indicates a growing awareness and understanding of the name “East Sea.”
Hoping that you will understand the great significance Korea attaches to the name “East Sea,” I sincerely request for the Inquirer’s consideration on the concurrent use of both the names “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” in its future issues.
—KEE SUNG LEE,
first secretary,
Embassy of the Republic of Korea